Labor announces Alex Dighton as candidate to run for Black after Speirs quits

SA Labor has wasted no time preselecting its candidate for the seat of Black after David Speirs announced he was quitting parliament. The former Liberal leader has been charged with drug offences.

A senior Sacred Heart College teacher will run as Labor’s candidate for the seat of Black following David Speirs’ announcement that he was resigning after being charged with drug offences.

Alex Dighton, who ran against Mr Speirs at the 2022 state election, hopes to win the southwest Adelaide seat at the upcoming Black by-election.

No date for the election has been set but the earliest it could occur is mid-November.

Black will become vacant once the former state Liberal leader officially resigns from parliament this week, after holding the seat with a margin of 2.7 per cent at the 2022 election.

SA Police confirmed on Saturday that Mr Speirs was arrested at Berri, in the Riverland, on September 26 and was charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and 3 and on August 9.

Police also confirmed they raided his Kingston Park property in the evening of September 26, after his arrest.

Labor's candidate for the seat of Black Alex Dighton with wife Claire and son Albie. Picture: Supplied

Mr Speirs posted a video to his Facebook page on Saturday, announcing he would resign from parliament this week and he would “fight to clear my name of the allegations”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas announced Mr Dighton as Labor’s candidate at a press conference on Tuesday, saying he brought “a wealth of experience and a strong understanding of his community’s needs now, and into the future”.

“It’s important we return integrity to the electorate of Black and, in Alex, locals will have a Member of Parliament with integrity and a strong voice for their community in government,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“I lead a government that delivers on its promises – and Alex is the type of person who clearly fits that mould.

“He is a passionate advocate for his community and would be an excellent addition to our parliamentary Labor team.”

Mr Dighton, a member of Labor’s right faction, has been a teacher for about 15 years, holding various leadership roles, including acting deputy principal, at the college.

“I love being part of this community – my wife, Claire, grew up in Marino and we’ve lived in Hallett Cove since 2016 when we bought our family home,” he said.

“Our son, Albie, is now five years old, and Claire and I feel fortunate every day to be able to raise him in such a wonderful part of the world.

“For the past fifteen years, I’ve had the privilege of being a teacher and holding various school leadership roles at Sacred Heart College, including deputy principal.”